What The Tongue Tells Us

The tongue is a vital, highly active, sensitive organ, which is the beginning and the only visible part of the digestive tract. It is sometimes called the mirror of the stomach. It can prove to be a key-factor in determining many conditions and the overall health of the body.

The tongue is a flexible muscular organ of the mouth. It is meant for tasting, moisturising, licking, kissing, mastication of food, swallowing and, in humans, speech. Its muscles are attached to the lower jaw and to a bone above the larynx. Its rough texture is produced by tiny nodules or papillae which project from its upper surface. Sensory nerves or taste buds are situated at the sides and the base of the tongue and the motor nerve is distributed across the muscular substance.

Ask the client to protrude the tongue and check for any deviation, discomfort or tremors. Examine the dorsum of the tongue, noting the colour and any coating or furring. Is the tongue enlarged or flabby? Note the condition of the papillae. Are there any cracks, fissures or patches on the tongue?Ask the client to elevate the tip with the wide open mouth and examine the undersurface of the anterior tongue. While conducting this examination it is pertinent to study the lips, teeth, gums, palate, fauces (the passage from the mouth pharynx), tonsils and pharynx.

The healthy tongue is free of any discomfort, such as pain, stinging, burning, swelling, excrescences or numbness. It is moist, with a rough surface, and has an evenly coloured pink surface overlaying pale red. Inspection of the client’s tongue is, therefore, a very useful starting point in most consultations. –

Tongue conditions

The remedies suggested in the box are only possible treatments and can only be verified by considering the totality of symptoms and their full repertorisation.

CONDITION

REMEDIES

Cuts

The tongue is considered to be the fastest healing organ in the body. Wounds should respond within 48 hours with correct treatment, otherwise consult a physician.May be treated with a mouthwash of Calendula mother tincture or a mixture of equal volumes of Calendula and Hypericum mother tinctures (Hypercal), 10 drops in a half a cupful of water. If there is suppuration, give Hepar sulph. 6c also.

Bites/ Bitten Tongue

Ledum 6c for puncture wounds with imprints of teeth, or as for cuts. Hydrastis. Mercurius cor, Mercurius sol. or Rhus tox. may also be considered. All at 6c or 30c.

Give Chelidonium 30c if a liver problem is suspected. Consider Rhus tox., Kali bich. or Spigelia, all in a 6c potency.

Multicoloured

Lachesis 6c

Appearance

Mapped tongue

Natrium mur: 6x but see Coloration

Twitching tongue

Give Glonine 6c or 30c.

Trembling tongue

Give Lachesis 6c or Mercurius sol. 6c. If the tongue is protruded and trembling, give the Lachesis. If accompanied by stammering choose Stramonium 30c or Argentum nit. 6c.

Tongue tremor

This condition could indicate hyperthyrodism, and a blood test would be required. Other symptoms include weight loss, bulging eyes, insomnia, restlessness and depression. Meanwhile Kali phos. 6x can be given.

Wrinkled tongue

Consider Calcarea phos. 6x or Phosphorus 6c.

Swollen tongue

An enlarged tongue may indicate thyroid enlargement, an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Other symptoms include weight gain and lethargy. Give Fucus. vesiculosus 6c. This remedy, prepared from sea kelp, is high in iodine content, the major constituent of thyroxine. Alternatively you can give Iodium 6c. Other remedies to be considered are Anacardium and Pulsatilla, both at 6c. A swollen, flabby tongue where the teeth leave marks would indicate Mercurius sol. 6c. See also Cuts or Bites.

Smooth tongue

Accompanied by redness and soreness. This indicates anemia, in particular iron deficiency anemia. There may be an earthy taste. Give Ferrum phos. 6x. In the morning or on waking, Opium 30c, Pulsatilla or Rhus tox. At night, Nux moschata 30c (also for the ‘sensation as if’ dry).

Dry Tongue

A dry tongue may be caused by stress or nervousness, for example, before addressing an audience or before an examination. The client feels tongue-tied, unable to speak. Take Argentum nit. 6c the night before and 1 hour before the event or consider Gelsemium 6c or 30c. Drink plenty of water.

Itching Tongue

Give Apis mel. 6c. Dulcamara 6c or Sulphur30c.

Tongue in constant motion

Loquacious, but in motion even when not talking. Tongue may be protruded. Give Phytolacca 6c or Hyoscyamus 6c and follow with Lachesis 6c or Phosphorus 6c.

Mucus/saliva

If this is sticky, give Argentum nit. 6c., Sepia 30c or Nux moschata 30c. If it is bitter, give Chelidonium 6c.

I have had a ‘dry mouth’ or tongue for several months. It is extreme and feels dry even when I’m salivating or drinking or eating. I have FM and am taking pain pills (tramadol). Please give me a hint about how to go about healing. I am on a small island and don’t have the resources of good Chinese or homeopathic treatment.

very nice article.nowadays so many doctors missing these type of examinations.thankyou very much for reminding.symptoms and signs are the only natural diagnostic points more than scan,xray.Congrats for your nice efforts

I have the swollen tongue with ridges along the sides from the pressure against the teeth.

HOW DO YOU GET A DOCTOR TO LISTEN TO YOU !

I was diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis in 2002 after suffering for 3-4 years. The blood tests always came back normal. A new doctor caught me in the middle of an episode with the flaming hot neck, exhausted fatigue, brassy hair, dry skin and feeling like you could collapse right there and then. She put me on 50 mcg Cytomel and life was back to normal til 2006. My obstetrician took me off. When I explained I had thyroiditis, I was ignored. SOOOOOOOOOOOO…..what happens? 6 months after my son is born the anxiety and high blood pressure start along with 3-4 hrs of sleep and tons of hyperactivity. Then like hitting a wall, you come to a stop. Can’t get enough sleep, hair goes brassy, sick every 6 weeks, tongue swells…..then you have brief periods of hyper that get shorter each time with longer periods of hypo.

I am so desperate after 4.5 years that I emailed the doctor that diagnosed me in 2002 for some glimmer of hope. She’s moved 4 hours away.

Your article was very informative and educative. Sir I have a THICK TONGUE which obstructs normal speech ability. It is causing a lot of stress mentally to me. I would like to take homeopathy treatment for the same. Please suggest me a good homeopathy doctor in Bombay (India).

This article is amazing…I have recently developed a burning /sore tongue at the tip spreading to the sides along with small white ulcers – This has been going on for several weeks now – it is painful to eat and very uncomfortable. Do you think it is advisable to take a combination of Merc.sol and sulphur?

Combinations of of remedies only confuse the situation. If you believe a particular remedy matches the symptoms, try that first. If you are really not clear what to take, consult an experienced homeopath.